New BMW iX3 Outsells Expectations as Orders Surge Beyond Company Forecasts

BMW’s newly unveiled 2026 iX3 — a midsize all-electric SUV built on the company’s innovative “Neue Klasse” (New Class) architecture — has become an instant hit. Available for pre-order since September, the model has already far exceeded sales expectations.

According to Christian Ach, Head of Marketing for BMW Germany, the brand received more than 3,000 orders for the iX3 within the first six weeks following its debut at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. That figure not only surpasses demand for the internal-combustion version of the X3 but also outperformed the company’s initial projections.

BMW now anticipates that production capacity in 2026 won’t be able to meet the unexpectedly high demand. What’s even more impressive is that many customers placed their orders without a single test drive, highlighting the growing confidence in premium EVs in Germany — provided the product is compelling enough.

The new iX3 showcases BMW’s latest technologies: an 800-volt powertrain, next-generation battery cells, and a range of up to 805 kilometers (500 miles). It also supports ultra-fast charging at up to 400 kW. Inside, the SUV features BMW’s Panoramic iDrive — a fully digital cockpit with a wide display strip and head-up projection — designed for intuitive, driver-focused interaction.

BMW is also emphasizing a new design language and a holistic sustainability approach, both key pillars of the Neue Klasse philosophy.

Deliveries of the iX3 will begin in Germany at the end of this year, with European distribution completed by the first quarter of 2026. Production will take place at BMW’s new plant in Debrecen, Hungary.

Meanwhile, the company’s second Neue Klasse model — a fully electric 3 Series–sized sedan — is set to launch in the first half of 2026. By 2027, BMW plans to integrate Neue Klasse technology across 40 new and updated models in its lineup.